Electric log



July 2, 1929. H. HERsH 1,719,266

. ELECTRIC LOG Filed sept. 2s, 1928 s sheets-sheet 1 V5. /0 .I. V4+6 VETOR A TT ORNE YS 1111)',2 1929- H. HERSH 1.719.266

ELECTRIC LOG Filed Sept'. 26-,- 1928 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 0R BY' 7 u M l 7*A TTORNEYS July 2, 1929. H, HERSH 1,719,266

ELECTRIC LOG Filed Sept. 26, 1928 3 Sheets-Sheet'A 3 f :L MIJ INVENT R 77 www #W4/16( ATTORN EY Patented .luly 2, 1929.

STATES HARRY HERSI-I, OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN.

f ELECTRIC LOG.

`Application filedA September 26, 1928. Serial No. 308,404.

My invention relates to an inprovement in electric logs.

The object of my invention is to provide a new type of electr-ic logwhich will provide an eliieient `heater and which willA not sacrifice tothe bulk of the log an enormous proportion of the heat produced by theheater. H

Another object of my invention is to proio vide a heater which Willsimulate the appearance of fire logs but which will provide for the``disappearance of the logs when an actual heating operation is desired,mechanism for `acconiplishing the removal of the logs being provided foreasy operation manually. i u f Another object of my invention is toprovide an automatic switch which will turn olf the current supplied toheating elements in the heater ofA my log when the logs are in normalposition. i

Another object of `my invention is to provide mechanical connectionsbetween the logs such as those described above in such a manner as toprovide a spring' to assist in opening and closing the logs. Y u

In the drawings: v. Figure l isa front view of my improved electric login position for efficient heat-ing operation. i l

y `Figure 2 is a similar view with the logs in normal position,

Figure 3 is an end view on line 3-3 of Figure l.

Figure 4 is a section on line 4 4 of Figure l.

Figure 5 is an end 'ieiv of my log showing the switch connection.

Figure 6 is a section on line 6-6 of Figure l.

Figure 7 is a. section on line 7-7 of Figure l. Y y

Like parts are identified by the same reference characters throughoutthe several views. l'

My electric log is particularly desirablein fire places Where anauxiliary heating device is necessary at times and Where theinconvenience or impossibility of a wood or coal fire would otherwisemake a fire place inconvenient or inoperative.

One of the principal inconveniences' and reasons for expensiveness ofoperation of the usual electric log lies in the fact that a large .55portion of the hea-t produced electrically in the log is absorbed bythebody of the` log itself since the porcelain clay orl other dielectricmaterial of `which most logs are made tend to absorb heat during` theiirst half hour or so of operation and do not provide effective heatradiation in proportion to the amount of electric current consumed.

In my log, therefore, I provide a combi.- nation of log structure in theform of metallic shell like bodies l0 and 11 each pivotally mounted upona screw or other pivot point 12, which1 in turn is supported by a frame13` provided with legs lst all of which have dimensions suitable for theestablishment of my device in an ordinary fire p lace structure.

Sincev the log bodies lOand 11 are substantially hollow aspace isprovided Within them for the installation of an electric heater vof thetype usually referred to as a radiant y heater. `I prefer to form theback ground of this heater in the shape of a curved copper -or othersuitable metallic rotlector l5 in front of which a suitable nu1n-. berof `,dielectric supports 1G and a resistant coil 17 complete the actua-lheater structure.

Obviouslysuch a heater device if exposed Without. substantial projectionis subjectl to injury and is not al very attractive article offurniture. For the purpose of protect-ing the radiant heater,tlierefore, I provide in the log bodies I0 and 1l a prete tion and animproved appearance as hereinafter indicated. e

As shown most distinctly in Figures 3 to 6, inclusive, the log bodiesare formed in semicylindrical shape the ends of which are closed bycircular metallic disks provided With apertures for Athe pivot screw 12.'The log bodies are, therefore, pivotallyV mounted to rotate toward eachother as indicated in logs Will automatically pivotally move the otherlog to asimilar position.

To assist in the operation lofrolling the logs to open or closedposition, I have provided a spring 2l interconnected between the upper'log` at 22 and the traine at 23 and it will be understood from anexamination particularly of Figure 3 that considering the weight et' thelog bodies l() and 1l, the spring' member at full open position of thelogs partially counterbalances the logs to prevent an excessive jar orshock when the logs roll to this open position and whenvthe logs arerolled to closed position the spring will assist in displacing theweight of the various parts during the operation.

Iuterconnected withthe logs so that any movement thereof will affect itsposition, I have provided a spring tensioned control cord 24 which issecured to the opening lever 25 ot a switch 26 and it will be noted thatwhen the log bodies are rolled to closed position the cord 24 will bepulled downwardly with the result that the switch 26 will be opened andthe current flowing through wires 27 will be unable to reach the wires28 to complete a circuit to the resistor coil 17. A spring in the switchmechanism may be used to return the switch arm 25 to circuit closingposition when the logs are opened, or, where preferred, the switch mayremain open until manually closed when the logs are rolled to openposition.

For purposes ot appearance only I have provided a special switch at 29to complete a circuit with the wires 27 'tor the purpose of illuminatingelectric light bulbs 30 in the compartment 34 back ot the bodies l0 and11 ot the logs with a result that when the electric connection iscomplet-e through the switch 29 and the logs are in either position anilluminationmay be provided, whereby a simulation of the appearance ot'glowing logs may be provided by the passage of light through theapertures ot the reflector at and 3l in the bodies ot' the logs, thusproviding a single .article or device which will provide not only theappearance and simulation of a log tire but may upon occasion be calledinto service to provide all of the etliciency ot a radiant electricheater undiminished in its eiiiciency by unnecessary absorption of heat.in the structure itself or in the logs which simulate the appearance oitthe log lire.

Iclaiin:

l. In an electric log, a trame, a radiant electric heater supported bythe frame and an imitation log rotatively supported upon the frame,whereby to be positioned for concealment or exposure ot the radiantheater.

` 2. In an electric log, a trame and a radi- ,ace

ant heater including an electric circuit, a switch for controlling saidelectric circuit and an imitation log rotatively supported upon thetrame, whereby to conceal or eX- pose the heater, and a connectionbetween the rotative log and the switch whereby to close the electriccircuit when the log` is i'otated to expose the heater. Y

3. In an electric heater, a reflector, an electric heating elementinfront ot the reflector and an imitation log rotatively supported fromsaid heater and said reflector, whereby to alternatively conceal orexpose the reflector and the heating unit.

Il. In an electric heater, a frame having upwardly and downwardly'extending members,'a heater supported by the frame, an imitation logrotatively supported by the upwardly extended portion of the frame,

another imitation log rotatively supported by the downwardly extendingport-ion of the trame, and a link'interconnecting said imitation logs,whereby to provide for simultaneous opposite rotation of the logs.

5. In'an electric heater, a set of logs each mounted forrotationeccentric oit the aXis of weight thereof, linkage between thelogs to provide for simultaneous opposite rotation thereot and a spring`for counter-balancing the rotation ot said logs. y

G. In an electric log, a trame having extended arms, logs comprisingmetallic shells rotatively mounted upon said arms, a radiant heatersupported vby said frame within the shells ot said logs and a linkbetween said logs, whereby to simultaneously oppositely rotate saidshells to expose the heater.

7. In ancelectric log, a 'frame having extended arms, logs comprisingmetallic shells rotatively mounted upon said arms, a radiant heatersupported by said frame within the shells of said logs and a linkbetween said logs, whereby to simultaneously oppositely rotate saidshells to expose the heater,

and a spring between one of said shells and the frame whereby toresiliently restrain movement of said shells to completely open andcompletely closed position.

8. An electric heater including a heating unit and an electrical circuitfor control thereoil together with a switch, a shellinovable to and troma position ot concealment HARRY HERSH.

llO

